Free legal advice offered to veterans, first responders
Veterans and first responders have an opportunity to receive free legal advice on Saturday.
The Lee County Bar Association, along with Invest in America’s Veterans Foundation and Florida Rural Legal Services, will host the second annual Veterans and First Responders Legal Clinic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Southwest Florida Military Museum and Library. No registration is necessary.
Kelly Fayer, president-elect of the Lee County Bar Association, explained that the event was created because a number of attorneys saw a need for it in their general practice and in the court system.
“We actually started this because we thought there was a need to assist people – veterans and first responders – with estate planning issues,” she said. “But as we got more people involved, we thought about other needs that veterans and first responders have.”
Last year, a couple of dozen people took advantage of the free service.
“There were people that had questions about veterans’ benefits, estate planning,” Fayer said.
“Landlord and tenant issues was one that came up quite a bit,” she added.
Organizers are hoping for a bigger turnout this year.
“However, if there was just one veteran or first responder that we were able to help, it would be a valuable use of our time and resources,” Fayer said.
Approximately 15 to 20 volunteer attorneys from the Lee County Bar Association will be present to answer questions, along with other staff members from the association and Rural Legal Services.
“We have a varied group of attorneys this year,” she said.
The volunteer group will be able to provide free legal advice on matters including real estate and property, family law, estates and trusts, veterans’ benefits, Social Security benefits and more.
“I think that for a veteran or first responder any legal issue that comes up for them will be something that we will be able to address,” Fayer said. “Also, they will be able to learn about things they didn’t even know they need to be aware of.”
She cited naming someone to make health care and financial decisions for them as one example.
“If there isn’t someone to help with a specific situation, we can find someone,” Fayer said.
The service is free of charge with valid identification.
“If anyone is out there thinking they may want to learn about how we could assist them, but they’re not sure they would be welcome, those are the ones we want to especially invite,” she said.
“Sometimes you never know how much you can be helped,” Fayer added.
For more information, visit: www.leebar.org/ or contact the association at 239-334-0047.
The Southwest Florida Military Museum and Library is at 4820 Leonard St.